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2006-04 CSCApril 18, 2006 RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, April 18, 2006 Richfield Community Center PRESENT CSC Members Gary Ness, Gloma Hamernick, Gordon Vizecky, Catherine Peloquin, Michael Christian, Rodney Schmidt, Barb Kritzman, Anna Berend Council Liaison Fred Wroge Staff Jim Topitzhofer, John Evans, Frank White Planning Com Liaison Kyle Hartnett ABSENT CSC Members Dean Johnson, Ron Schwartz Call to Order Chair Vizecky called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Approval of Minutes Kritzman moved, seconded by Christian, to approve the minutes of the regular March meeting. Approved, ayes all. Agenda Additions Topitzhofer added a discussion of the Capital Improvement Plan at the request of a CSC member. Staff Reports Recreation Services Topitzhofer (unless as noted) reported on the following: FOWL Dinner: Friday, April 21 Youth Athletics: Schedules are coming together for spring. Joint School/City Community Center: Proposals for a community survey have been collected. Council and School Board will discuss a survey at a joint May meeting. Wroge said that the survey should state that a center would likely be on school property. YMCA/Tri-City Skate Park: Topitzhofer referred to the user statistics (attached). Action Items Athletic Facility Use and Charge Policy Recreation Manager White handed out the revised policy, commenting that a tennis court policy was added this year. He explained that the date that facilities are opened is pretty rigid, dependant on Public Works staff availability and proper maintenance; closing dates may be more flexible. He explained the tennis court waiting and usage time policy; it was recommended that the on-the-hour policy be posted. He said that there’s been some change to the residency requirements; text has been added changing the residency classification to the defined Class C. Ness asked why baseball and softball fields are less accessible for “pick-up” use when that’s a priority with tennis courts. White said that repair and maintenance of the fields needs to take place before evening use without being disturbed by drop-in users (some with pets). Topitzhofer said that a balance between rental and open use of tennis courts is for the CSC to decide. Schmidt asked if set times could be offered to rental groups, some blocks defined as peak time. White said that open times in the policy are considered peak hours: evening hours. Vizecky suggested that the policy specify how the 50 hours is assigned for groups. White said that we are renting less this year. Vizecky asked when rates were last raised and has staff considered peak-time rates. White said that rates were increased this year, so staff is keeping rates under control. Vizecky suggested a peak rate for a more desirable facility like Augsburg. White said that our rates are probably in the lower middle of area rates. Topitzhofer asked if rates could be changed this year; White wasn’t sure how many groups are already booked or quoted rates. White said that Augsburg has five courts for team play, but a prime non-resident rate could be added. Ness asked if lighting could be added to other courts. White said that lights used to be at Augsburg, Donaldson and Washington with staff. He said that lights have not added to revenue in the past, but there are lights at Washington that need repair. Kritzman moved to adopt the policy as proposed for this year with reconsideration of different rate levels for next year, seconded by Ness. Approved, ayes all. Capital Improvement Plan DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE CSC. April 18, 2006 Topitzhofer said that the bonding request has likely been rejected. He said that Option 2 is the “rejected” plan, but setting aside $1 million over the given years. He suggested that Option 1 might be preferable: setting aside $500k instead and keeping ballfield options open. Vizecky recalled that construction for ballfields would take place in 2007 with play beginning in 2008; he asked if that was enough time to go through the entire process on what is set aside. Topitzhofer said that design work could begin with what has been saved in 2007; construction would likely be 2008 with play in 2009. White said that the school fields would be available in 2007, which would be needed before construction could begin. Vizecky said that staff recommendation appears consistent with last month’s motion to submit Option 1. Peloquin asked if the girls softball facility is first priority; Wroge said that it is urgent to meet the needs of girls softball. Peloquin asked if Title Nine compliance work would make funds more available; Topitzhofer said that this was included in the lobbying efforts. Wroge said that site work at Roosevelt, an under-utilized park, should still be considered. Berend suggested reconsidering Option 2 (or something similar) next year. Topitzhofer said that we would know the result of our bonding request in May. Christian asked if older girls softball could be accommodated at the adult softball facilities at Taft. Topitzhofer said that girls softball asked to be united at one facility. Christian said that boys are split to different facilities, so the effort to find facilities for them is what matters. White said that they could play at Taft with some impact to revenue and maintenance costs. Wroge said that the fields would be too large for slow pitch. Vizecky said that any suggestions about using Roosevelt would include the Ballfield Task Force. Topitzhofer suggested the possibility of forming a sub-committee of the CSC to study the issue and make recommendations to the CSC and the sports organizations. Vizecky asked what mandates are in place for the CSC based on recommendations from the Ballfield Task Force. Christian said that there was an understanding that a multi-use facility would be built from renovation of fields; a recommendation from girls softball was to construct a girls facility at Lincoln. Kritzman moved to approve CIP Option 1 with the understanding that a sub-committee of the CSC be formed later to further investigate implementation of the field renovation plan, seconded by Christian. Approved, ayes all. Park Reports Augsburg Park Schmidt provided the park report for Augsburg Park. Committee Reports Transportation Committee Kritzman provided the report. Topitzhofer reported that regular bike trail meetings have begun with neighboring cities. Ness said that he suggested using the Arena parking lot as a bus transit stop, possibly in lieu of bus cutouts on Portland Ave. City Hall TF Ness provided the report. FOWL Kritzman said that the FOWL Dinner will be held on Friday, April 21. Will Steger will be the guest speaker. Veterans Memorial TF Schmidt reported that the Legion and VFW are interested in contributing funds. Planning Commission Hartnett provided the report. RCHSPC No report. Next Meeting Tuesday, May 16, 7:00 pm, Richfield Community Center Other White asked about a system to recognize community volunteers. CSC members said that memorials could always be considered and discussed. Adjournment Ness moved, seconded by Hamernick, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.